What Ronald Koeman’s move to Everton may mean for Newcastle’s transfer business

Georginio Wijnaldum

Ross Gregory

Published:11:21Tuesday 14 June 2016

Everton today confirmed Ronald Koeman as their new manager – and it could have an effect on Newcastle United’s transfer business.

The Dutchman has signed a three-year deal after the Toffees paid £5million to release him – and also his brother and assistant manager Erwin and fitness coach Jan Kluitenberg – from the final year of his contract at Southampton.

And one of Koeman’s first jobs as Everton boss could be to make a move for Newcastle midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum.

Everton and Southampton scouts watched Wijnaldum in action for Holland against Austria earlier this month, with Koeman a big fan of his fellow Dutchman.

Wijnaldum scored in the game, and is one of the Magpies players most strongly linked with a move this summer after their relegation to the Championship.

He said: “Of course I want to play at as high a level as possible, in the Premier League, with a beautiful club – but not everything always goes the way you want. I will see what happens.”

Wijnaldum has also been linked with a move to Serie A, with Roma, Lazio and Napoli credited with an interest in the attacking midfielder.

However, reports in Italy suggest Newcastle have slapped a £30million price tag on the 25-year-old, who cost £14.5million last summer when he joined from PSV Eindhoven.